National Republican., 1887-02-18
MISS EAsrLAKE "Ar uoME.Y
Reception In Amerioa-Home and
FrIends-Littie Visitor at yyiiiard,s,

Having observed, during q residence OF
four or five years In America, that num-
Der Of English people who are OF small
account In their own land manage TO make
considerable fuss In the United States, l
felt that little gossip about a really repre-
sentative English lady would not be unac-
ceptable to the American people. For this
reason requested Miss Mary Eastlake to
grant me the honor Of an interview, that
might tell the readers Of the NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN something about distin-
guished English actress who has attained
to high position on the stage without a
whisper Of scandal or the aid OF those sinis-
ter advertising influences which are only
too frequently put In requisition by those
who think more OF notoriety than OF dignity
or womanhood.
~ shall be very glad to have talk with
you about old England" said Miss East.
lake, "but lead such secluded life In
our cozy little home near London with my
father, mother, brother, aud sisters that
scarcely know anything about general
gossip, and don't take the slightest interest
in what are called so'iety people or society
papers,
According TO appointment / called at
Willard's in the afternoon, and was shown
, to Miss Eastlake's parlors, where l was re-
ceived by that lady and her sister, Miss
Lila, with the frank and cordial simplicity
which NJ. Taine has so frequently referred
to as the most charming characteristic Of
well bred English girls. Miss Eastlake
wore blue velvet robe with a profuson OF
white lace about the neck and wrists. Her
bair was worn much after the fashion OF
her own Almida and Ophelia. She and her
sister we're arranging or admlring basket
Of beautiful roses that had just arrived with
the compliments Of Mrs. Staples.
81 haven't the pleasure of Mira StaDles's
acquaintance,n said Miss Eastlake, "and
don't quite know how to thank her for
those beautiful flowers. Do you know II
she SENDS such presents to all travelling
Fuglishwomen 2"
could Only tell her that knew Mrs.
Staples by reputation as one OF the open
handed aud open.hearted ladies OF Wash
ipgton who seem to have special mission
TO 60 about making other people happy.
"Well," she said, "it Is only part and
parcel OF the treatment we have received
every where in this country. People think
they can't do enough for us, and 1t Isn't
mere formal invitations to dinner or parties.
They come and talk about home life In
England aud appear so delighted to have
sn opportunity OF comparing notes about
how to make our homes in both countries
rich and joyous and full of elevating force,
with sunshine for the heart aud head, and
with the one permanent JOY OF life, that OF
being blessing to others. Such incidents
ne the following occur very frequently:
This morning gentle knock came at my
door and lady entered to say that
play in Boston, and that now she was
in Washington, she must see me, or some
thing dreadful would happen. Miss Gladys
| promptly appeared, and, without the least
| timidity, made me a speech which was more
grateful than anything had read or heard
from Demosthenes or William Gladstone.
Holding her hands behind her back she
looked up into my eyes, and said, Miss
| Eastlake, keep little charity box, into
which l put my pennies now and then, SO
that when want something to give n poor
| little boy or girl / may haye IL. Now, you
will soon be going back to- England, and
forget all about poor little me, and SO |
brought this little bunch of vlolets that you
| might take along with you aud keep for
ever and ever, and when you look at them
think of me- Such logic" added Miss
Eastlake, "was irresistible, and Herbert
Spencer's methods never gained or more
firmly held better fortified position"
"Nliss Eastlake, what do you think of the
preset state of the English stage ~
"To be perfectly candid with you know
very little about 1t. have no illusion:
about my profession. The powder and
paint and footllghts have no charm for me.
|
power Of art, and the pleasure Of my life
is In the constant struggle to attain such
solid excellence as am capable Of. love
to hear the ringing salvos of applause
which teN ne that have forcibly presented
some great ruth or some fine though,
which goes home to the universal heart
AS George Eliot says in her Choir Invisi
ble,' In reference to another subject, sc
to live Is heaven and her Armgart eX.
presses well the high desires and emotions
Of every conscientious man and woman or
the stage. But to return to your question
about the stage, l took 1t ui
ss profession, compelled to dc
something by the sudden necessities
of my family. 1 am proud to say that
have been able to make n delightful home
especially for my dear mother, who has been
confirmed invalid for many long year
| love to be with her and among my books
In the society Of children, lowers, dogs
and other pets, so that during the theatri
cal season II is hard to have to tear mysel
away every evening for three or four hours
Yet my professional life is exceptionally
fortunate. The men Of our company are
all gentlemen, and, in a very real sense,
know that the women are gentlewomen
but like the country and its pursuits, ant
If necessity did not compel me should
never enter a city.
asked If Miss Eastlake had heard tha
Mrs. Kendall had been commanded to pla,
before the queen.
80, yes b she said with particular aui
nation, "and am delighted that yor
thought of mentioning it. Mrs. Kendall Il
noble woman. She is dear, kind friend
Of mine, and nothing connected With thu
stage that have heard for long time has
given me half the pleasure afforded by the
news of this signal honor conferred so ap
propriately upon so good woman as Mrs
Kendall. Everybody loves her, and dom
wonder that Queen Victoria breaks In upoi
her own established retirement from public
life by desiring TO see one of Mrs. Kendall
performances
Just at this time little knock is heart
at the door.
"Please, Miss Eastlake, my little girl say
she must see you again Ok special aud i'm
portant and immediate business this time, :
and with such introduction the lady of th
morning leads In Miss Gladys-aged abou
five years. The child, with large doll ii
her arms, walks over to Miss Eastlake AM
Giscourses in this wise: "Dear Miss East
lake, this is new doll. | want to have he
cbnsteDed, and i would rather have he
baptized in your room, with yourself TO
minister, than anywhere else. VIII yol
please cbristen her for me ~
Miss Eastlake first kissed the child, the
took the doll In her arms, and as preplra
tions had to be made for the christenin
and other visitors were imminent, tool
my leave.
We had not settled or even discussed an
great questions, but the frank, full, serlou
comments of my two fair country wome
renewed very OLD impression that Enl
land, like America, is a good soil for goo
women. ii. l..
I, |
Extra Pension Clerks Wanted.